USSAmerica
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ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
Sent this to my PBEM opponent yesterday. I enjoy writing these narratives every now and again when something from the game 'tickles me'. 
ETA: Please forgive the "Mandrake" Japanese dialect.
October 12, 1942
Captains Matsumo of I-172, Saburo Terauchizi of Nenohi, Kazura Wakabayashi of Kawakaze and Eido Arachi of Hatsuharu are passing the time at the rifle target range in Suva. In exchange for a couple of bottles of sake, a local infantryman had gladly offered his type 99 Arisaka rifle to Cpt. Matsumo for the day. Matsumo places 3 recently 'liberated' ceramic plates 200 yards downrange from the firing position and returned to the group.
Matsumo: "OK. Here rules: Everybody get-ah 3 shots. We buy drinks for pahson hit ah-most tahgets".
All [in unison]: "Hai!"
Matsumo: "OK. Since I borrow rifah and set up prates, Matsumo shoots furhst."
All [in unison]: "Hai!"
Matsumo takes careful aim at the distant plates and fires. His first shot tracks high and left. He grunts and makes some adjustments to the sights. His second shot also tracks high and left, but not as wide of the mark as the first shot. He angrily adjusts the sights for his final shot, but gains control, slows down his breathing, and gently exhales half of his air. He holds his breath momentarily while his finger tightens on the trigger. The report of the rifle surprises him.
The 7.7mm projectile hurtles towards its target, curving downwards in a predictable ballistic arc. The bullet strikes the dirt berm immediately in front of the plate, causing the plate to leap upwards, spinning. Improbably, the spinning plate falls back onto the berm next to the other plates, upright and undamaged, right where it started.
Matsumo: "WHAT AH HERR!!! It-ah shourd have broken! That-ah no fair!"
The others erupt in gales of laughter, pointing at Matsumo's red face. Matsumo angrily hands the rifle to Wakabayashi.
Matsumo: "Arright, smart-ah-ass! You try!"
Wakabayashi takes the rifle and aims. His lack of experience with a modern firearm shows. He works the bolt awkwardly and has clear difficulty rationalizing the sight picture. 3 shots and 3 misses. The others laugh at his difficulty.
Wakabayashi: "Hai! Wakabayashi nevah good with-ah rifah anyway. Here, Arachi. You do it bettah. Show me how, dumb-ah-ass."
Arashi dutifully takes the rifle and prepares to fire. His form is better than Wakabayashi, but he is still a rank amateur, never having fired one outside of some distant naval academy training. His atrophied skills show. 3 shots. 3 misses. More banter and ribbing from the others.
Arashi: "This-ah rifah sucks. Sights arr messed up. Come on, Terauchizi-you wirr see. Youah turn now, raffing boy!"
He hands the rifle to Terauchizi who takes his position behind the rifle. The rapidity of the shots and the subsequent rapid and smooth working of the bolt surprise the onlookers. One by one, all three plates vanish in ceramic clouds of dust.
The onlookers stand looking down at their friend with their mouths agape.
Terauchizi: "Ha! Suckas buy Terauchizi drinks now! Hai!"
Matsumo: "It-ah stirr no fair! Matsumo should have gotten that-ah furst one! That-ah ruck nevah happen again! Evah!"
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hoorn Islands at 138,157
Japanese Ships
SS I-172
Allied Ships
xAK West Planter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK West Planter is sighted by SS I-172
SS I-172 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK West Planter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hoorn Islands at 138,157, Range 3,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
Allied Ships
xAK Mahimahi, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK West Planter, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK City of Dalhart, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 14% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
xAK City of Dalhart sunk by DD Nenohi at 3,000 yards
xAK West Planter sunk by DD Nenohi at 3,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAK Mahimahi at 3,000 yards
xAK Mahimahi sunk by DD Nenohi at 3,000 yards
xAK Mahimahi sunk by DD Nenohi at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
Nicely done!
_____________________________
Mike "Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett "They need more rum punch" - Me  Artwork by The Amazing Dixie |
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